A Magical Mystery of Unregulated Psychedlic Mushrooms
The Inquirer commissioned lab testing for 20 unregulated psychedelic drugs purchased from smoke shops around the Philadelphia region. Among the findings were fabricated lab tests, hallucinogens banned by federal law, and synthetic compounds that were engineered with slight molecular differences from outlawed substances. Seventeen of the products failed to clearly state any active ingredients on the packaging.
Scroll through the products below and roll over the images for more information.
Sources: Lab tests commissioned by The Inquirer from Rose City Labs, in Portland, Ore., and the The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, in Horsham, Pa.; verified Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from multiple testing labs cited by psychedelic drug manufacturers; interviews with psychedelic drug users; a 2015 article titled “Recreational Use, Analysis and Toxicity of Tryptamines” published in Current Neuropharmacology, which documented anonymous user experiences with various tryptamines.
John Duchneskie / Staff Artist